Uttar Pradesh Polls: 55.60% Turnout Marks Final Lok Sabha Phase Amid Heat Tragedies

Uttar Pradesh saw a 55.60% voter turnout in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections, affecting 13 constituencies including Varanasi. The election process witnessed unfortunate fatalities due to heat, with 13 election personnel and others hospitalised. Prominent leaders, including the Prime Minister, contested in this critical phase.

In the climactic seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh recorded a significant polling percentage of 55.60, the Election Commission disclosed on Saturday evening. This crucial electoral round, which concluded at 6 pm, involved 13 constituencies and 144 candidates, notably including Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi, who is seeking his third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Navdeep Rinwa, announced that though preliminary data showed a 55.60% voter turnout, the figure might increase as more data is compiled. Alongside Varanasi, polling took place in constituencies such as Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, and Deoria, among others. Rinwa also confirmed that polling transpired peacefully, with final figures expected on Sunday.

However, the election was marred by a tragic loss due to severe heat. Thirteen election personnel, including several home guards, succumbed to heat-related illnesses, while others were hospitalised. The Election Commission has mandated compensation of Rs 15 lakh for the families of the deceased. Despite these adversities, prominent leaders like Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Anupriya Patel exercised their right to vote, spotlighting the electoral significance of the phase.